It’s a whole new world for the Big Sky, as four new teams enter the fold; all of the former Great West teams save South Dakota have joined the party. That’s Cal-Davis, Cal Poly, North Dakota, and Southern Utah if you weren’t paying attention. The conference how has thirteen members; each team will play an eight-game conference schedule, and a complex new tie-breaking procedure is in place for the league’s autobid.
Montana State is the clear team to beat, having ruled the roost all year last year right up until they ran into arch-rival Montana. This year, Montana’s not as much of a threat (more on this in a bit) and the only other credible danger comes from Eastern Washington, a team that’s hard to put a finger on after last year’s injury-plagued debacle.
Quick notes on each team after the jump.
Montana State Bobcats: Two-time Walter Payton Award finalist Denarius McGhee returns (and is still only a junior!) after throwing for 2800 yards last year. 1300-yard RB Cody Kirk also returns. The problem is that four of the five starters keeping their heads attached are gone, so it’s critical that the offensive line come together quickly. On the defensive side of the ball, Buck Buchanan Award nominee Zach Minter anchors a dangerous defensive line, but the entire Bobcat defense is scary good. The Bobcats don’t dodge any of their challengers on the schedule (indeed, the expected top four teams all play one another this year) so they’ll earn it if they win the title.
Eastern Washington Eagles: Gone is star QB Bo Levi Mitchell; his replacement is former SMU starting QB Kyle Padron. Padron will have three 1000-yard wideouts to heave the ball to, if he has time. Last year’s 0-4 start was primarily the result of basically the entire O-Line being lost to injury; if they’re healthy, it’s a two-team race.
Montana Grizzlies: Gone is coach Robin Pflugrad, washed away in the wake of a scandal involving Montana coeds being abused at the hands of out-of-control Montana players. New coach Mick Delaney, whose prior experience as a head coach was two unsuccessful seasons 20 years ago at NAIA Montana Western, has a challenge ahead of him with all the distractions an NCAA investigation is going to cause. Starting QB Jordan Johnson is active, but is facing a felony sexual assault charge, and even if he manages to last through the season there are still only eight starters returning — only two on defense. It could be a very long season, but it’s still Montana, and half those returning starters are on the offensive line… which is always a good thing.
Portland State Vikings: Maryland RB D.J. Adams and Boise State DE Nick Alexander join a cast of characters which improved from 2-9 in 2010 to 7-4 last year. Half the starters are gone, however, so it will be interesting to see whether this is a reload or a rebuild. Still, the coaches picked PSU fourth, so they must like (or dislike, as the case may be) what they see. The schedule is friendly as well; the Vikings miss Montana and Weber State, and get Montana State at home.
Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo Mustangs: It’s hard for me to understand why the coaches picked league newcomers Cal Poly fifth, as they only return seven starters from a team which finished 6-5 last year. However, there are signs: defensive ends Jake Irwin (Wisconsin) and Wesley Flowers (UCLA) transferred in, as well as Wisconsin LB Cameron Ontko. They avoid Montana and Montana State (and, technically, Eastern Washington as their game is a non-conference oddity). This is a triple spread option team, a novelty in the Big Sky; that may also help them against defenses that aren’t really prepared for it.
North Dakota Something Somethings: QB Braden Hanson transfers in from North Carolina to take over the reins of the offense, which returns nine of the other ten starters. Last year, UND was similar to Kansas State; run the ball a lot, control clock and field possession, and win lots of games close and late. Their first year in the Big Sky won’t be friendly; they have to visit both Montana State and Eastern Washington.
Weber State Wildcats: Ron McBride retired at the end of last season, replaced by Weber alum John L. Smith… who then turned around and took the Arkansas job when Bobby Petrino got caught with his pants down. Into the breach comes interim coach Jody Sears, getting his first crack at a head coaching gig. QB Mike Hoke returns after a successful year, and Weber manages to avoid Montana State; they’re a dark horse to keep an eye on.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds: They’re new, but they’re not unfamiliar; the T-Birds have played the bulk of their non-conference games against Big Sky opponents for years, and their addition to the conference has been a question of when rather than if. Brad Sorenson, probably the top QB in the FCS in the eyes of NFL scouts, returns to lead a team which loses 12 starters; his presence will do a lot to alleviate that problem, but will it be enough?
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks: Fifteen starters return from a 4-7 team, so they should make a push back toward .500 after suffering their worst season in quite awhile. 1400-yard RB (and Walter Payton candidate) Zach Bauman is joined in the backfield by Cal transfer Covaughn Deboskie, and senior QB Cary Grossart returns after throwing for 2700 yards last year. Another incoming transfer is Boise State NT Justin Jungblut. The Jacks avoid Montana State and Eastern Washington, so they’ve got a chance.
Sacramento State Hornets: Last year, they were maddening; upsetting FBS teams one week, losing to bad FCS teams the next. It was chaos. The Hornets lose 12 starters, and add QB Mason Magleby from Nevada to set up an instant QB controversy with sophomore Garrett Safron. Also joining the fun is Fresno State transfer A.J. Ellis at RB. It’s not going to be pretty.
Cal-Davis Aggies: This will be the 20th and final year at the helm for Aggie coach Bob Biggs, who will guide his charges into the Big Sky with the benefit of 15 returning starters coming off the worst year of his career at 4-7. The Aggies are a bit of a cipher; they’re capable of finishing over .500, but could also tank badly in the new environment.
Idaho State Bengals: Mike Kramer’s first year in charge was brutal, as the Bengals stumbled to a 2-9 record. He loses 9 starters, partially as a result of a housecleaning wherein he tossed a bunch of guys out of the program. However, offensively the team does return 9 starters, so their dismal performance last year in turning yards into points may improve a good deal. The Bengals avoid Montana State and Eastern Washington, another benefit.
Northern Colorado Bears: Ooof. Second-year coach Earnest Collins is still looking for his first win as a head coach after a brutal 0-11 campaign last year. 13 starters return, including QB Seth Lobato, who managed to throw for almost 2500 yards last year. WR Jace Davis, who had almost 1000 yards receiving in 2010, returns after being ineligible last year, and LB Leilon Willingham transferred in from Central Florida. On the bright side, the team showed steady improvement last year as the season progressed, even if it didn’t translate into wins.